APPROVEDThe City Council held meeting # 1500 on Monday, August 20, 2018, in the Council Chambers at City Hall.
Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Council President Mrs. Peggy Williams.
Present were Ms. Smith, Mr. Zimmerman, Mr. Beach, Mr. Dufficy, Mr. Taylor by phone, City Administrator Jim Hammons, and City Clerk Audray McCollum. Mayor Teske and City Attorney Dean Chisolm were absent.
Ms. Smith MADE A MOTION to approve the minutes from # 1499 held on August 6, 2018.
Mr. BEACH SECOND.
Williams, Smith, Zimmerman, Beach, Dufficy ,Taylor by phone voted FOR.
MOTION PASSED.
Announcements:
Mrs. Williams said the next council meeting would be Tuesday, September 4 preceded by a public hearing for the budget at 6pm. The City is a stage 2 fire restrictions the rules are posted on the front door.
Committee Reports:
Cemetery/Parks: None.
Fire: None.
Police: Chief Kessel reported Ignite the Nights went very well with no disorderly issues,the new route worked well and gave a safety buffer on Mineral Ave. The officers received compliments that the event is more family friendly. Kessel feels this is due to increased officer foot patrol . There was no DUI arrest on Friday night , there were several on Saturday night.
Resolutions/Ordinances: The ordinance committee will meet next Thursday at noon and update the junk vehicle ordinance and fee schedules for the city.
Lights/Streets/Sidewalks: Mr. Beach said some of the city crew are working with the county on chip sealing. The water project on 5th street to hookup residents to city water will be completed in a few days.
Building: None
Water/Sewer: None.
Budget: Preliminary budget on the agenda.
Finance: None.
City Administrator: Jim Hammons said the city has been working on sidewalk and curb projects for St. Johns Luthern Church, Kootenai ValleyChristian School, and St Joseph Catholic Church.
KRDC: None.
City-County Board of Heath: None.
Public Comment on Non- Agenda Items:
None.
New Business:
Appoint Police Commission.
• Bonnie See.
Bonnie See, 119 West Spruce Libby, thanked the council. She had spoken with Chief Kessel about the position several times and thought this would be a good way to volunteer. Her children are very active in volunteering, she has time on her hands and would like to get active in the community.
Council had no questions.
Mr. Zimmerman MADE A MOTION to appoint Bonnie See to the Police Commission.
Ms. Smith SECOND.
Williams, Smith, Zimmerman, Beach, Dufficy , Taylor by phone voted FOR.
MOTION PASSED.
Jill Beach, Glacier Bank, requesting permission to close the following intersections for the Paint It Pink Run and Half Marathon on September 29th. The run will begin at Cabinet Peaks Medical Center at 8:00 am and will end at Glacier Bank at 11:00am.
Closing the following intersections on the Glacier Bank side of California.
• California and E 6th.
• California and E 5th.
• California and E 4th.
• California and E 3rd.
Ms. Smith MADE A MOTION to close the following intersection California and E 6th, California and E 5th, California and E 4th and California E 3rd to honor the request for Glacier Bank.
Mr. Dufficy SECOND.
Williams, Smith, Zimmerman, Dufficy,Taylor by phone voted FOR.
Beach ABSTAINED.
MOTION PASSED.
Resolution 1923-A Resolution requesting distribution of Bridge and Road Safety and Accountability Program Funds.
Ms.McCollum explained this is part of HB 473 and the city is putting in for their part of the grant in the amount of $24,540.00
Ms. Smith MADE A MOTION to adopt resolution 1923 requesting distribution of the appropriation of road safety funds.
Mr. Zimmerman SECOND.
Williams, Smith, Zimmerman, Beach, Dufficy, Taylor by phone voted FOR.
MOTION PASSED.
APPROVE THE PRELIMINARY BUDGET FOR FY-19.
Ms. McCollum said the city has budgeted for four new police cars, the payout for the fire relief at 19.97 mills.The value of the overall mill dropped in value by $4.07.The city is planning on doing paving projects out of fund (2510) next summer. McCollum said revenues in the sewer (5310) are not keeping up with expenses .
Public Comment: DC Orr,1117 Nevada,said he predicted this would happen in 2010 when the dam project went from 4 million to 11 million. The citizens cannot carry the debt load of the previous administration. Libby already has the highest water rates in the state the council needs to trim the budget. The people that you serve can’t stand anymore.
Mr. Beach asked about the billing correction that was made by Black Mountian 6 months ago and if that had made a difference with the sewer revenue?
Ms.McCollum said it had made a difference of $15,000 in 6month and $30,000 in a year, but we still have a shortage in revenue. The sewer and water committee needs to look at charging customers for usage and not just a flat rate.
Mrs. Williams said this is a preliminary budget and can be amended up to the adoption of the final budget.
Ms. McCollum encouraged the council and public to come and talk to her about any budget questions.
Ms. Smith MADE A MOTION to adopt the preliminary budget for FY 18-19 budget as presented.
Mr.Zimmerman SECOND.
Williams, Smith, Zimmerman, Beach, Dufficy, Taylor by phone voted FOR.
MOTION PASSED.
Approve new business licenses received to date:
• KG&T Septic Inc
Mr. Dufficy MADE A MOTION to accept all new business licenses received to date.
Mr. Beach SECOND.
Williams, Smith, Zimmerman, Beach, Dufficy, Taylor by phone voted FOR:
MOTION PASSED.
Approved Renewal Licenses Received to Date:
Mr. Zimmerman MADE A MOTION to approve all renewal business licenses received to date.
Mr. Beach SECOND.
Williams, Smith, Zimmerman, Beach, Dufficy, Taylor by phone voted FOR:
MOTION PASSED.
Unfinished Business:
1. Kootenai Cross Country Ski Club, $15,000 funding request for a Visitor /Event Center.
Ms.Oliphant,KRDC, said she helped write a grant request to the Montana Department of Tourism for Kootenai Cross Country Ski Club to build a visitor /event center. The total funding for the building will be $60,000.00. $15,000(Ski club cash) $15,000.00(City of Libby) $30,000.00(MT Department of Tourism Grant).
Mr. Ben Scott, 402 Montana, Vice President Ski Club, said his focus was the kids to form a biathlon team, to train kids in the summer and have a mountain bike race in the summer.
Mr. Scott said the event center would be 24 x 64 to store grooming equipment; front portion 16×24 would be a warming hut. Mr. Scott would like to hold competitions and have team from Spokane , Whitefish and Meetha Valley meet here .
Tony Petrusha,559 Florence Rd, said the building would be used for all seasons as a registration center, and finish line for all kinds of bike activities and future trial projects.
Mr.Dufficy asked what the building at the ski club was currently being used for?
Mr. Scott said as a timing shed, but the location is half a mile from the course, the visitor/event center would be located next to the course.
Dufficy asked if the city would be responsible for the buildings.
Scott said no,” It’s in the contract that the cross country ski club would be responsible for 100% maintenance of the buildings.”
Mr.Taylor said back in June Mr. Scott told Council the club had $55,000 for the project.
Scott said he misspoke at the time, that was for the entire project and not just for the building.
Mr. Beach asked if the club had a backup plan for funding if they didn’t get the grant.
Scott no ,there are no guarantees in getting a grant.
Dufficy said the city is strapped for funds, the city will not see funds from the fire-wise project untill next spring .
Ms. Smith said “this project fits right in line with our community development policy guidelines, and I support this project”.
Dufficy said’ the city is slowly chipping away at the community development fund, it starting out at 8 million, the fund is down to less than half a million. Maybe the city needs to save some for a buffer in case something bad happens.”
Smith said that is why there are guide lines, so the city knows how to spend these funds.
Smith would like to see future fundraisers by the organization.
Mrs. Williams asked, “are you going to be coming back to council for more money in the future or sending someone else to ask for money.”
Scott said, “no this is it.”
Smith said Mr. Scott has done an excellent job and Ms. Oliphant has a great track record for getting grants for our community.
Zimmerman said the trails system is just getting started.
Mrs. Williams stated the ski club will not receive the funds if the grant is not received.
The council agreed with Mrs. Williams.
Ms.Smith MADE A MOTION to approve funding of the project at $15,000.00 as a match out of the Community Development Fund towards the ski club match at 50% by January 1,2019.
Mr. Zimmerman Second.
Amber Holm,Libby Chamber of Commerce, Glacier Country Tourism Regional Commission,said both organizations support the project. This will be the only biathlon course in our Glacier County region ,the potential for drawing winter events to our area is huge. The chamber is asking the council to support this project.
Allen Olsen,33692 Hwy 2 ,said maybe we need to keep the trails we already have graded. Olsen would like the money used for the sidewalks on Balsam street to help all the school kids instead of just a few kids.
DC,1117 Nevada, is glad to see there is a plan to maintain the trails. Orr would like to see some other government agencies help out with this project besides the city. Orr asked what involvement KRDC had in the project and if it was only to write the grant?
Ms. Oliphant said KRDC would submit a support letter and helped write the grant.
Williams,Zimmerman,Smith,Beach FOR
Dufficy,Taylor per phone AGAINST.
2.Libby Web Site Re-Design
None
3.Council Rules and Procedure.
None.
General Comments from the Council:
Ms. Smith thanked the police and the Igniter’s for another successful weekend.
Mr. Dufficy would like to draft a thank you letter for business who improve their buildings.
Adjournment:
Mr. Dufficy MADE A MOTION to adjourn the meeting.
Ms. Smith SECOND.
Williams, Zimmerman, Beach, Taylor, Dufficy voted FOR:
MOTION PASSED.
The meeting ADJOURNED at 8:20 pm.
______________ Attest; ______________________________
Council President
Peggy Williams Audray J. McCollum, City Clerk/Treasurer